Computer

Computer History Timeline

By desireedawn

  • Z1

    Z1
    In 1936, Zuse made a mechanical calculator called the Z1, the first binary computer. It was the first programmable computer, but was unreliable in operation. This was the first computer made, and led to further advances, and eventually, our computer today.

  • First Computer "Bug" Found

    First Computer "Bug" Found
    In September in a computer lab, a deceased moth was found between two relay points of the Mark II Aiken Relay Calculator. This was the first computer "bug" and caused the computer to fail. This is where we get the term "bug", and today we see many of them.

  • Magnetic Core Memory

    Magnetic Core Memory
    Jay Forrester of MIT was awarded a patent for his magnetic core memory on February 28, 1956. It became the standard for computer memory until solid state RAM took over in the mid-seventies. Today it is still used in special environments, though.

  • First Hard Disk Drive

    First Hard Disk Drive
    The IBM 305 RAMAC was the first commercial computer that used a moving head hard disk drive (magnetic disk storage) for secondary storage. The unit measured around 1.5 square meters and could fit into 30 ft x 50 ft room.

  • First Computer Mouse

    First Computer Mouse
    The first mouse (named because of the tail-like structure coming out of the end) was originally set to be sold by Douglas Englebart, but was marketing by a German company just a few weeks before. This simple addition to computer is used by so many people today and makes it a whole lot easier to surf the web.

  • ARPAnet

    ARPAnet
    The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network was the original internet. This led to the World Wide Web.

  • "Floppy " Disk

    "Floppy " Disk
    The first Floppy Disk was an 8 inch flexible plastic disk with magnetic iron oxide. It was invented by IBM engineers, but led by Alan Shugart. This was revolutionary as it provided a quick and easy way to transport information between computers.

  • Apple Macintosh Computer Introduced

    Apple Macintosh Computer Introduced
    After a legedary commercial shown during the Super Bowl XVIII, the first Macintosh computed was put out for public sale. It was sold for $2500 (about $5000 today), and soon after, Windows produced their own computer to sell to the public.

  • Microsoft Windows Introduced

    Microsoft Windows Introduced
    Windows 1.0 was first announced in November 1983, but wasn't sold until November 1985. This release was the beginning of the friendly war between Microsoft and Apple.

  • The Launch of the IPad

    The Launch of the IPad
    The first tablet computer was launched by Apple in early April, although Steve Jobs, the company's co-founder, began working on the project in the early 1990's. The IPad has become a source for work, reading, music, television, and games, and is literally a computer small and simple enough to take everywhere. Many people today own IPads, including myself.